DAY ONE - Monday
NOT BUILT IN A DAY…

Introductions
2 p.m. Seminar opens at hotel in Rome

All Leading to Rome: Water and paths as symbols

Rome's Seven Hills: An overview of the ancient heart of the city and a view from inside the Forum, heart of ancient Rome

The Fall of Judea: A World Destroyed? (Alongside Titus' Arch)

The Clash Between Jewish and Roman Values (Visit the Colosseum)

Dinner at Pitigliani Community Center, joined by a member of the Rome Jewish community: Reflections of an Italian Jew

Overnight: Rome

DAY TWO - Tuesday
FROM PAGAN EMPIRE TOWARDS CHRISTIAN CENTER

Jews and New Jews Persecuted? (Visit the Vigna Randanini catacombs)

The Jews and Pagan Rome: Midrashic points of view (Trajan's Forum)

Break for lunch at Trevi Fountain

Hadrian, Hero and Villain (Visit the Pantheon; discuss Hadrian in Jewish thought)

Developing Traditions: Christian Imperial Rome and the Jews

Visit Piazza Navona and surroundings: study session)

Bonfires of Books and People
(The Campo di Fiori)

From 5:30 p.m. Free to explore (pre-reserve for museums on your own)

Evening: (Optional) Tour of Trastevere with Haim

Overnight: Rome

DAY THREE - Wednsday
THE CHURCH AND THE JEWS

a.m. The Jews in Medieval Context (Meet with Prof. Anna Foa)

Michelangelo and the Jews: Holy Moses! (Study session at the Church of Saint Peter in Chains)

Meeting with Hon. Ambassador of Israel at the Israel Embassy to the Holy See

Transfer to the Vatican and break for lunch in its precincts

p.m. The Vatican: State Within a State
Special meeting with Vatican personage (t.b.c.)
Visit to Sistine Chapel and to St. Peter's Basilica.

5:30 p.m. Free time to continue exploring the city or relax

Overnight: Rome

DAY FOUR - Thursday
THE MERCHANTS OF VENICE

a.m. Travel to Venice. On the way - The Routes We Follow: May 1943....

Arrival in Venice; transfer by boat to Lido Island

Break for lunch
p.m.

The Past: A Maritime Republic and Its Jews
(Brief introduction, study session and explore the Jewish cemetery)

Today and Tomorrow: A Vision of Jews in Venice. Discussion with Dr. Shaul Bassi

Disembark and leisurely walk to the hotel

5:30 p.m. Check in at the hotel and free evening

Overnight: Venice

DAY FIVE - Friday
VENICE: CENTER OF A MEDITERRANEAN EMPIRE; HOME TO JEWISH MERCHANTS

Depart for St. Mark's Square

Introduction: Venice and Jerusalem

The Structure of Lay Power in the Republic (Visit Doge's Palace)

The Seat of Clerical Power in Venice (Visit Basilica of St. Mark's)

Walk to Ghetto (lunch on the way)

p.m. Meet at Entrance to Jewish Museum in Ghetto Nuovo

Jews in the Ghetto (Museum Exhibition and Visit to Synagogues)

Study session: Jewish Merchants and Venice

Late afternoon: Meet at hotel or in area of Ghetto for Kabbalat Shabbat

Seudat Shabbat

Overnight: Venice

DAY SIX - Shabbat

FREE to "lekh lekha B'Noah" ("stroll around at ease") until late afternoon. Then, meet in the lobby of the hotel

Jews in the World (Between Ramhal and Benamozegh)

Oneg Shabbat and Seudah Shlishiet

late p.m. Havdalah

Rest of evening at leisure

Overnight: Venice

DAY SEVEN - Sunday
MODELS OF COMMUNITY IN JEWISH ITALY

a.m. Travel from Venice to Padua

Padua: The Old City and Central Piazza (tour)

Introduction to Jewish Padua (in the Jewish Museum)

Visit the Ghetto, meet community member and visit synagogue

Padua, Ramchal and the Jewish mystical tradition (Study in synagogue)

Lunch break in center of Padua
Free time in central Piazza, or pre-reserved visit to Capella Scrovegni

p.m. Depart for Florence

The City States and the Medieval Jewish Political Thought (Brief Study session)

Check into the hotel and evening at leisure

Overnight: Florence

DAY EIGHT - Monday
TUSCAN TALES

Visit to Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana at San Lorenzo; view their prized Judaica items

Travel from Florence to Siena

On the Way: Rural Jewish Populations in Tuscany

Visit Duomo and walk to Piazza del Campo

Break for lunch in the area of the Piazza

Visit synagogue and museum and study session

Travel from Siena to Terra di Seta Kosher wine estate

Discussion with owners over cheese, wine and a light meal

Return to Florence

Overnight: Florence

DAY NINE - Tuesday
INTEGRATING THE JEWS OF FLORENCE INTO THE CITY'S NARRATIVE

a.m. Following the Jewish Presence in the City Center through to 19th Century (Walking tour of area near the Duomo)

Visit Piazza Della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio, including the Hall of the 500

Florentine Politics and the Symbol of David vs Goliath

Lunch break and free time

A visit to the Synagogue and The Jewish Museum of Florence

Lunch break (near kosher restaurant)

Michelangelo's David and the Other Treats (visit the Galleria dell'Academia)

Evening at leisure

Overnight: Florence

DAY TEN - Wednesday
"IF I FORGET THEE, LITTLE JERUSALEM…"

Travel from Florence to Pitigliano
Explore "Piccolo Jerusalem" museum

Meet with last representative of Pitigliano's once-strong community: Elena Servi
Free time to browse
p.m.Travel from Pitigliano to Rome

Evening: From Moses to Moses: A special night tour of the Fountains of Rome (optional)

Overnight: Rome

DAY ELEVEN - Thursday
ROME'S JEWS: 2000 YEARS AND STILL BUILDING…

a.m. Cum Nimis: A Tour of the Rome Ghetto and study session

Visit the Jewish Museum of Rome and its Synagogue

Free time to browse and lunch

p.m. Looking Ahead: Meet with representative of the next generation

Closing session at the hotel

Farewell Dinner in Ghetto

Overnight: Rome

Continued travel arrangements as per individual arrangements from Friday morning.

Note: Itinerary subject to change. Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays observed in the destinations being visited.